Cardinals return to JHS  this time as faculty

THOMAS BRENNAN - Daily News Staff

Tuesday

Apr 30, 2013 at 12:01 AM

The faculty at Jacksonville High School is filled with alumni from each of its decades, which according to principal Donna Lynch helps preserve the pride and heritage in all Cardinals by bringing their good, bad and indifferent experiences to the table.

JHS BIG 50

Jacksonville High School will celebrate its 50 years in its current location with a weekend event.

The JHS BIG 50 will be held on Saturday, May 4,from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join staff, students and alumni for school tours and special events throughout the day. Catch the Orchestra performing from 11 a.m. to noon; the Cardinal Voice Mixed Ensemble from noon to 12:30 p.m., Marching Band with Pep Tunes from 1 to 1:30 p.m. and Musical Cabaret at 2 p.m. All performances will take place in the cafeteria.

A special section celebrating Jacksonville High School is inside today's Daily News.

The faculty at Jacksonville High School is filled with alumni from each of its decades, which according to principal Donna Lynch helps preserve the pride and heritage in all Cardinals by bringing their good, bad and indifferent experiences to the table.

“We had a sports banquet when I was a student here and I fell out of the chair in front of the football team and all the parents,” said Lynch, who represents the class of 1978. “Other than embarrassed, I felt like the center of attention. Everyone turned around, looked and some laughed.”

Having studied, lived, breathed and embarrassed herself in the same hallways as her students helps bring Lynch closer to the students, she said. As the current Jacksonville High School celebrates its 50th graduating class this year, teachers from many generations reflect on their time at JHS.

“I understand how they feel when they are in front of their peers,” said Lynch, who said she was a quiet student who was involved in athletics and student government. “I can surely relate to a lot of the students.”

Having been in the students’ shoes, Lynch said she has a soft spot for students that resemble how she was.

“I think if you have the right teacher they can nurture them and bring out the strengths in students — especially the quiet ones,” Lynch said. “I was fortunate to have teachers like that. That’s no different today than it was 30 years ago.”

Lynch said she was proud to be a part of the faculty.

“I feel like it’s an honor,” Lynch said. “It’s my way of giving back to the school, teachers and community that gave so much to me.”

Having graduated 17 years ago, Anie Williams, a testing coordinator with the school, came back to keep up with the traditions of the high school.

“My husband is the football coach and seeing football get big again is great especially after the winning season we had last season,” Williams said. “The community rallying around us is … just like old times.”

Williams wouldn’t change anything about the school, she said.

“This school has a community feel,” Williams said. “The students get along with each other despite their differences.”

Playing soccer, basketball and tennis during her tenure, she was very active, she said.

“I was a good student I think,” Williams said. “I was active in clubs such as student council. I blended with the general population, which I think allows the students to relate with me — especially because I’m younger.”

For math teacher Tony Zirnheld, the best part about teaching at Jacksonville High School is that he knows the places and some of the people.

“Some of the teachers were from when I went here so I knew them when I started on staff,” Zirnheld said. “And now I know some of these kids because I went to school with their parents.”

Having that connection with multiple generations is a great thing, he said.

“It’s really good because the parents are more supportive because they’re alumni,” Zirnheld said. “It creates more continuity within the school community. It also increases school pride.”

Reminiscing about the past, Zirnheld recalled that he wasn’t a model student.

“I wasn’t the most studious of kids,” Zirnheld said. “I made good grades and never actually planned on going to college. I did what I needed to do to graduate. I was one of them.”

Now, when he sees someone like he was, he encourages them to work harder.

“You try to keep them on the right track and push them to do better,” he said.